My first ball python!... I'm concerned

[cuprite]

So I finally got my very first ball python Saturday, and I've already fallen in love! The pet store I got him from is one that I'm familiar with and felt safer going to than, say, Petco. They sold me the entire tank as well, so transporting him was simply a manner of putting his tank in the car, driving him home, and setting the tank up on its stand.

However, a few issues became apparent once he was all set up. The tank glass is very dirty and the screen top has unidentified gunk on it. He had recently shed and I could find his shed strewn around the tank. In fact, the tank in general seemed filthy. His poops hadn't been cleaned up, and I highly doubt that much cleaning is done judging by the fact that I have found TWO SPIDERS WITH WEBS COMPLETELY INTACT LIVING IN THERE.

Now, what really concerns me is that not only are there two spiders living in opposite corners of the tank, but when I lifted his hide to try to see if I had missed something while handling him at the store (god forbid, like mites) I spotted a small bug crawling up it. Now, I'm very new to keeping snakes, so I have never before seen mites and don't exactly know what they look like, but this thing was about the size of a gnat and black.

He eats Wednesdays so I was thinking I'd handle him Friday to see if there is anything I missed the first time. He seemed perfectly healthy at the store but the condition of his tank really worries me. I'm also planning on completely cleaning his tank (new bedding, washing the dust off of the fake plants, cleaning the tank glass), but I don't want to upset him while he's still getting used to not living in a noisy pet store.

The store that I went to is widely known for its fish, but they do keep other animals, and (I'd like to stress this) I felt okay buying from them since I've had good experiences on working with them. This comes as a total surprise to me that the tank was so dirty.

I would be devestated if it turns out my ball has health issues, or mites, or doesn't feel comfortable in his tank. It's only been a few days and I've already fallen in love with his little eccentricities and the way he came up to sniff/boop my hand while I was in there. I should probably also mention that he's pretty grown (around 2.5-3 feet, I think) in what looks like around a 100 gallon (my estimate) tank. He doesn't seem too scared of the space, so I'm fairly sure that the tank isn't too big for him. But I haven't seen him completely leave his hide, only stick one or both ends out of it. He also doesn't seem very sluggish or sick, he was actually quite inquisitive and sniffed around like a puppy after I moved him in.

If anybody could please give me advice on what to do or how to proceed (or even just how to clean his tank- it looks like a monster of a job) I would be extremely grateful.

[tttaylorrr]

grab a white towel/white fabric and run your hands along the snake or let the snake slither through the towel. does anything fall off and start running around? congrats, they're mites!

also, IMO i would clean that tank IMMEDIATELY regardless of the snake needing to settle. i would never let my snake live in the conditions your described for an hour even if it needs to settle. IMO i'd ditch the tank and get a tub for the time being. when it comes to cleaning/how to i'd wait for someone more experienced to chime in on how to tackle that job.

also, WELCOME TO THE FORUM!!!

[Sunnieskys]

Omg. I agree with the above. Everything comes out and washed. Spiders? That tank has never been cleaned I can assume. Wow, just wow.

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[cuprite]

Thank you!

I think I'm going to start cleaning the tank step by step. I'm probably going to clean his hides (thus getting rid of the spiders ), then wipe the glass down, then replace the substrate. Hopefully if I don't do everything all at once it'll stress him out a little less.

If he ends up having mites, I don't even know what I'll do.

[JodanOrNoDan]

Thank you!

I think I'm going to start cleaning the tank step by step. I'm probably going to clean his hides (thus getting rid of the spiders ), then wipe the glass down, then replace the substrate. Hopefully if I don't do everything all at once it'll stress him out a little less.

If he ends up having mites, I don't even know what I'll do.

Do it all at once, that way you only disturb him once. Make sure you read the ball python care sheet and the stickies in the husbandry section on tank setup.

[Sunnieskys]

I throw hides, water dishes, plants in the dishwasher. Substrate gets thrown out immediately. I would not keep it in the house. Tie that bag up and take it to the trash bin. Disinfect the entire tank inside and out once everything is out. I can't imagine getting a tank in that condition. I'm sorry.

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[tttaylorrr]

for cleaning i use regular lemon-scented disinfectant wipes to clean everything. i use HOT water, then the disinfectant wipes, then wipe whatever i'm cleaning down AGAIN with water so there's no residue from the disinfectant left behind.

i agree with JodanOrNoDan: do it all at once. ALSO read the stickied threads on the husbandry section.

GOOD LUCK!!!!!!!

[cuprite]

Ohhh that makes a lot more sense. Thank you all for your help. I just feel bad for him I've discovered a third spider and I haven't even begun cleaning!

Is there a certain time of day/night that will be less likely to disturb him? Should I put him in a tub or something else while I'm cleaning?

[tttaylorrr]

Is there a certain time of day/night that will be less likely to disturb him? Should I put him in a tub or something else while I'm cleaning?

i'd do it during the day when he's sleepy and sluggish. i normally put them in a tub (with holes!!!), just let them hang around my neck, or place a spare hide on the bed and put them there, but DON'T take your eye off of them for more than 30 seconds because they WILL try to explore!

[Kcl]

Sounds like he's an older juvenile to adult snake in decent shape - you really don't have to worry too much at all about the stress for him to remove him for cleaning for a couple of hours. Young snakes get shipped in many cases, which is far more stressful. Put him in a tub with holes and clean away. Do it at a timing that's convenient for you, it's not that big of a deal. What is important is doing it ASAP though - being in a dirty home is far worse for him. All at once is definitely better than piece by piece. Using diluted bleach is a good option here - just make sure to rinse until bleach fumes are gone if you do.